20 displaced by Phoenixville fire near Church and Bridge streets

Twenty people are homeless following a fire in several attached homes in the 300 block of Bridge Street in Phoenixville early Sunday morning. Phoenixville and Chester County officials are investigating the fire. (Photo by Tom Kelly III)

Twenty people are homeless following a fire in several attached homes in the 300 block of Bridge Street in Phoenixville early Sunday morning. Phoenixville and Chester County officials are investigating the fire. (Photo by Tom Kelly III)

PHOENIXVILLE — The Southeastern Pennsylvania chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting 20 people who forced from their homes by a Sunday morning fire near the intersection of Church and Bridge streets.

The 20 people, which included three families, were living in a multiple-unit row-home when the fire broke out around 6:45 a.m.

In addition to the Phoenixville Fire Department, the Black Rock, Kimberton and Valley Forge fire companies all responded to the scene, where fire was showing from the roof.

No injuries were reported and all residents were able to escape the building. The residents were taken to the Phoenixville fire house on Church Street to “get warm” and coordinate with Red Cross personnel, according to the fire department.

Dave Schrader, a spokesman with the Red Cross, confirmed that 20 would receive “food, clothing and lodging” through his organization.

Outward damage appeared to be confined mostly to the second floor areas. Broken and charred pieces of window frames or siding lay in the yard next to children’s riding toys Sunday afternoon. Around 3 p.m., the air around the intersection of Church and Bridge streets still smelled like smoke despite the damp weather. Smoke alarms could be heard going off inside the building.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Chester County Fire Marshal, the fire department said.